Transfer Students Thrive at UMN Psychology
This article is the third in a series about the work the Department of Psychology is doing to 'build successful pathways' for all students in moving from secondary school to college, and then onto a career or graduate school. Through our 'building successful pathways' program, we are focused on the recruitment, retention, and matriculation of students of color, first-generation students, and those from high poverty backgrounds. This work has been ongoing in our department and solutions are as varied as the challenges. In this third story, we will explore the experiences of our undergraduate transfer students, the majority of whom come from two-year colleges, which are institutions designed to enhance access to higher education.
The Department of Psychology in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) boasts one of the largest undergraduate programs at the University of Minnesota (UMN). Transfer students form a significant portion of our student body. Among our 1,400 majors, one-third of our majors are students who have transferred from other institutions to complete their degrees in Psychology. Interestingly, our numbers have been growing, even as higher education, including transfer student enrollment, faces a broader trend of decline. Overall, transfer students make up 31.2% of our majors and 10.4% of our minors. University-wide, 25% of undergraduates are transfer students. In 2021, Psychology was the number one major of interest among the incoming University transfer class.
Recently, we invited some transfer students to tell us their stories. With such a large percentage of transfer students in our major, learning about their experiences and hearing their voices is critical to ensuring that we are meeting their needs. We are excited to share their stories with our community and, especially, others who may be considering transferring to the UMN Psychology program.
UMN Psychology attracts transfer students for a variety of reasons, one of which is the ranking of both the University of Minnesota and the Department of Psychology. Their reasons include, but are not limited to:
- David Girin chose to transfer because of “the University’s status as an elite psychology school.”
- Cassandra Strand emphasized the big picture; “When I began looking at my options for earning a psychology degree, the University of [Minnesota] seemed the best fit. They are a highly ranked school with a long history of a strong psychology program that is itself highly ranked on both the national and international levels.”
- Merissa Neor commented that her reasoning for “transferring to the University of Minnesota was driven by more than just its reputation for research; it was about pursuing a vision for my future that felt both ambitious and deeply personal. As a Black, first-generation student, I’ve faced challenges that often made higher education seem like an unreachable goal. However, I knew that by surrounding myself with the resources and opportunities at a well known institution like the University of Minnesota, I could not only overcome those obstacles but also set an example for others who share similar experiences. For me, transferring wasn’t just about earning a degree—it was about affirming that my aspirations, no matter how big, are valid and achievable.”
Psychology students also transfer to the University to be closer to family and friends:
- Josh Wilson has wanted to come to the University of Minnesota since high school, and his moving back was especially important due to the fact that his grandfather was in hospice care nearby. His grandfather passed away last spring and Josh thankfully had strong community support to help him through; “I leaned on friends and family as well as got incompletes for all my classes. I passed all my classes and am going through two different therapies for grieving.”
- Cassandra Strand wanted to be near her family in the Twin Cities metro. She also wanted flexibility; “[the UMN campus] is relatively close to me and it offered at least a fair share of courses online which meant they could accommodate my schedule better.”
Overall, according to the results of the Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) survey, UMN Psychology transfer students see the University of Minnesota as a welcoming campus and they report a sense of belonging (SERU 2022). Savannah Worley shared that her academic advisor, Mary Simonsen, “has stuck out to me as most helpful, in what she has been able to offer in order for me to gain an understanding of what is required of me to finish my undergraduate degree.” Our faculty also impact our transfer students. Dr. Alex Ajayi was highlighted by David Girin; “[Dr. Ajayi] has been an incredible mentor so far since I joined his research lab. He has given me guidance and fostered an atmosphere of community within his lab that has been incredibly helpful in assimilating me into the U.” Even though the Department of Psychology is large, faculty and staff connect with students in meaningful ways that contribute to their success and well-being.
Nonetheless, the transfer process can be complicated and frustrating at times. One transfer student shared, “it was very difficult for me to feel comfortable around people who were in my year in school since they had all lived in the dorms together.” Given that challenge, Annalyssa Crenshaw proactively sought to build relationships; “I made sure to take trips to the U as much as I had time to see my friends and get immersed in the culture.”
Finally, some of the students interviewed shared the following tips for others who are transferring to the University to finish their degrees:
- Josh Wilson advised new transfer students to “make this experience your own. For me, the first semester was confusing and a little worrying. I was afraid of what this place was and wondered if I belonged. But over time, I made friends and learned fascinating topics that I apply to my daily life. It's exhausting, but has its moments of joy that make it worth it. Find something here. Seek it out (in person, not online). I am certain you will achieve what you need.”
- Christine Friendshuh stated, “start asking questions right away. If there is something you feel uncomfortable with, say something!”
- David Girin recommended that transfer students “take advantage of the great professors here as they are doing real work in pushing forward the field of psychology, and be sure to join a research lab if you can.”
The upper right graph shares percentages of transfer student origins. Most (72%) transfer students are Twin Cities Metro Residents. 12% of students come from greater Minnesota, 5% come from our reciprocity states like Wisconsin or South Dakota, and 11% come from the rest of the US or from other countries. Additionally, 55% of students transfer from community colleges.
The lower left corner shares that the #1 major of interest for the in 2021 transfer course was psychology. A student quote from David is shared, repeated from the written story.
The lower right graph is transfer student demographics. 36% of transfer students are first-generation students. 35% of these students are Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC) – specifically domestic students. 35% of students identify at male and 64% as female.
